engleski

Promoting New and Renewable Energy Solutions (NRET) for Energy, Water and Sustainable Tourism in Islands

Most of the islands in the world are highly dependent from importation of fossil fuel for energy and, in many cases, also water production (sea water desalination). In general, tourism is a very important economic source of income in islands. Energy and water demand for tourism is high, mainly during the peak season (summer), when cooling and water needs are very important. Energy production and air conditioning systems present low efficiency, fresh water availability and storage is deficient. The energy sector is the main contributor of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions and consequently to global warming and climate change. Islands contribute to a minimum extent to total GHG emission but are in the first line to confront with sea level and climate change negative effects. Undeniably, the concentration of GHG in the atmosphere is increasing and the effect on climate is certain and the most important consequence for Islands is the sea level rise along with extreme meteorological events aggravation. Technical and technological solutions for GHG emission reduction and mitigation from energy sector exist, but still face non-technical barriers that inhibit their full deployment at the global level. However, due to their particular geographic and economical characteristics, many of these barriers are not present in Islands. It is the case for example, of price barrier for Renewable Energy Sources. In general, fuel price is higher in islands and some renewable technology can be competitive. Also, Island has a particular interest in promote New and Renewable Energy Technologies regardless to their cost, in order to protect their fragile environments, and, for these reasons, Islands are a positive example for the whole World. One of the most important means to increase efficiency and to reduce pollution and CO2 emission, is to organize and rationalize the energy systems, mainly by the rational production and consumption of the energy produced and the use of endogenous energy sources. In general, the islands present great potentiality in renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydro and wastes. Other energy sources can also be used to tackle the energy problem of the islands: the use of liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, fuel cells (with local production of hydrogen for the cells) and co-generation (tri-generation with district cooling). Seawater desalination process can also be used for energy storage. This paper describes NRET scenaria with great potential of application in Islands, their current status and barriers. The cases of the archipelagos of Madeira (Madeira and Porto Santo Islands), Azores (Graciosa, Flores and Corvo Islands), and Cape Verde (Sal and S. Vicente Islands) are presented to illustrate possible scenaria for the integration of NRET in the energy sector and other relevant economic sectors.

Renewable Energy; Sustainable Tourism; Islands

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